Mumbai, Dec 19 (NationPress) BJP leader and lawyer Vivekanand Gupta has officially urged the party's Mumbai leadership to put an end to the practice of granting election tickets to the relatives of prominent party leaders in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for December 15.

In a letter directed to Mumbai BJP President Ameet Satam, Gupta firmly endorsed the slogan “BMC election is not a family business” and advocated for ticket distribution based on merit.

Gupta articulated that his request mirrors the increasing dissatisfaction among grassroots party members who have dedicated years to the organization with the aspiration of eventually being allowed to run for election. He pointed out that these loyal workers frequently commit their time, resources, and energy to bolster the party at the division and booth levels.

“A party worker invests his heart and soul into his division, often sacrificing everything for the party's cause,” Gupta stated in the letter.

He cautioned that such workers often feel “deep disappointment and alienation” when they are bypassed in favor of the wife, son, daughter, or other relatives of senior leaders during the ticket allocation process.

The letter highlighted that the BJP has long positioned itself as a “worker-centric organization” and asserted that this principle should be upheld, especially in civic elections like the BMC polls.

Gupta urged the city unit leadership to withstand internal pressures and nepotistic requests from influential leaders. He implored Ameet Satam to disregard personal requests or directives related to family appointments and to award tickets based purely on merit, dedication, and years of service at the grassroots level.

He emphasized that party workers who have consistently toiled for the BJP’s growth deserve “justice and honor” in the candidate selection process.

“I hope that in this election, it is the common party worker -- and exclusively the worker -- who is given the chance to contest,” Gupta expressed.

Gupta submitted the letter as the BJP gears up its electoral strategy for the BMC elections and is engaged in seat-sharing discussions with the Shiv Sena.

This internal call for merit-based ticket distribution arises amidst the party’s efforts to enhance its outreach among traditional Marathi-speaking communities and to consolidate its urban voter base.

Meanwhile, BJP Mumbai president Ameet Satam, following a meeting with Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant on Thursday, stated that both allies have reached an agreement on 150 of the total 227 BMC wards, adding that talks will continue to finalize seat-sharing arrangements for the remaining 77 wards.